This is a touchy topic. However, I feel that religion is an organized way to control the way of thinking for a group of people. This is why there are so many denominations. Religion is mans work and not GOD work.
Before Jesus, the church was made up of clergymen who represented the people to GOD. In return, the people were taxed for that representation. GOD sent his son JESUS CHRIST to tell the people that every man is a representation of HIS image and it is through the action of his only SON is the gateway to HEAVEN and eternal life. So, JESUS was a challenged to the church and this way of thinking. As punishment, JESUS was crucified.
Churches today are simply 501 3(c) organizations. The purposes are to maintain membership and gain revenue. To do so, they control your way of thinking and make it seem guilty if you don't donate your 10%. The Preacher is the representation for you to GOD.
Isn't this the same thing of the past that JESUS chanllenged?
Any thoughts?
2007-05-23 01:50:22 · 13 answers · asked by L J 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think the important factor is that people look to churches to guide them in life. The church is seen as an authority figure on spirituality and so, when an individual does not know the answer to a spiritual question they may turn to the church as the resident expert on the matter. The entire purpose is to help people know what to think.
Some people take this a step further, however, and no longer think on their own at all. They do not look to the church when they have questions, but simply absorb all that the church says unquestioningly. This is essential to the survival of SOME churches. Churches that do not want you to do more than absorb and regurgitate what they spew at you are not spiritual, but dictatorial.
The church should be a place for you to share, augment and explore your spirituality, not a place that tells you what your spirituality is.
2007-05-23 01:57:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Jesus wanted us to go to fellowship with other Believers, whether in a Temple or in a home, a field... even here in Yahoo Answers (lol)
Jesus, as well as the disciples, had rules of conduct for all churches and gatherings to follow, even when it came to how the Gifts were used....
Tything 10% is a standard rule of God....but, when the poor woman put 2 cents into the offerring plate, Jesus warned the church NOT to criticize her, for that 2 cents was more than she had to spend...every-body's 10% is different, of course... and since the tythe goes to the Lord's work, it was given more often then not when the believers met together.
It is important to have fellowship with other Believers in order to strengthen and learn, but, I agree that many churches do tend to limit their congregations in what to say and do, etc...
Yet, the people are there by choice, and can leave by choice...
The New Testament is full of letters to the churches....but, Revelations has a final warning to each particular church for their own failings in the eyes of the Lord....
If Jesus didn't want us to be IN a "church", why would they always be going TO and FROM churches, or spend so much time in the Bible giving churches guidelines?
Peace be with you
2007-05-23 03:15:34 · answer #2 · answered by ForeverSet 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope. Christianity wasn't "put in place." Nor are there any theocracies that are Christianity based. Now ... if you want to talk about religions controlling large groups ... well you've certainly got a few Islamic theocracies out there. So your question is kind of coming from a lack of understanding of world religions, and how they operate. That's not to say that there aren't countries out there that don't have Christianity as the official religion, which is different than the government being a theocracy. Being "honest" has nothing to do with religion keeping the poor from attacking the rich, that's just crazy talk. And the idea that Christians don't stand up for themselves again shows the asker's naivete and lack of understanding of Christianity. Turning the other cheek has nothing to do with 'offering of a screwing' it is Christ's way of saying don't be provoked. Because any idiot can get into a fight out of anger. 'Turn the other cheek' means you don't fight out of anger ... it doesn't mean you don't fight. Duh. The Knights Templar don't defend the righteous, they defend Christianity.
2016-04-01 03:58:04 · answer #3 · answered by Cindy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is (Matthew 23).
Jesus recognized that organized religion breeds hypocrisy and form over substance.
That's why Jesus didn't organize a church.
Jesus was an anarchist, and people hate anarchy. They don't trust each other unless they have layers of law and legions of judges and prosecutors to force other people to behave as they do.
2007-05-23 01:58:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Christendom Has Betrayed
God and the Bible
People in many lands have avoided the Bible and have lacked respect for it because of the bad conduct of those who claim to follow it. In certain lands it has been said that the Bible is a book that leads to war, that it is a white man's book, and that it is a book that supports colonialism. But those are mistaken views....
2007-05-23 01:56:37 · answer #5 · answered by DAVE 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The religion is a politics' tool to control the people.
Therefore many wars have done in the name of God.
2007-05-23 01:56:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Religion has killed many.
Trust in Christ alone for salvation from deserved wrath.
2007-05-23 01:55:13 · answer #7 · answered by Soundtrack to a Nightmare 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Duh. Some old fart in the Vatican farts, and a billion drones jump. Whatever you say, master, as I don't want to go to everlasting hell by daring to ask if that was just another fart or a meaningful exposition on my life.
2007-05-23 03:58:49 · answer #8 · answered by Fred 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's just a prop for weak minded people.
2007-05-23 01:52:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It has from the beginning. Now the crazy arab muslims are killing everyone that is not a crazy arab muslim. GO FIGURE!
2007-05-23 01:53:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋